Senators hope to help restaurant, tavern owners
By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
State Sens. Jim Brewster, D-McKeesport, and Pam Iovino, D-Mt. Lebanon, have announced a comprehensive proposal to provide emergency relief to Pennsylvania’s restaurants and taverns.
The senators are trying to aid business owners who have seen significant financial loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting shutdown.
The seven-point plan includes a $100 million grant program for retail liquor licensees using federal CARES Act funds, as well as several policy changes to financially benefit these struggling businesses.
“Restaurants and taverns are not only favorite neighborhood destinations and community staples, they are the job creators and the cornerstone of vibrant main streets across Pennsylvania, representing the third-largest sector of the state’s economy — and they are in dire need of assistance,” Iovino said. “As these small business owners struggle to determine if they can hang on, they need to know that there are lifelines available to them.
“The plan would direct financial relief to this specific retail sector and will help position our commonwealth for a full and lasting economic recovery.”
“Restaurants, bars and the hospitality industry has been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and we have to provide relief,” Brewster said. “Too many bars and restaurants are imperiled, cannot survive under strict mitigation, or have closed their doors putting men and women out of work. We have an obligation and responsibility to move aggressively and provide help now.”
The senators propose providing targeted assistance under the Senate Democrats’ small business assistance program to restaurants and taverns and suggest carving out $100 million from the remaining CARES Act proceeds to capitalize a program to provide grants to retail liquor licensees for revenue and capital losses experienced during shutdown periods.
Their proposal calls on the state to increase the wholesale licensee discount for wine and spirit purchases from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board from 10% to 15% for at least nine months, with a gradual phased reduction back to 10% after June 30, 2022.
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